Nashville Nov1" 1st 1826.

My dear Judge.

After a lapse of several years since our first and only acquaintance took place, and altho we have never since that time corresponded with each other—on my part I have often turned my memory to scenes and events in which you were a party concerned; and have carefully noted the progress of your arduous and responsible undertaking with feelings anxious for your complete and full success. I have had the pleasure several times of reading letters from you to our common acquaintance Colo Erwin—in which you have somewhat in detail given a history of the progress of your settlement, your views, prospects, etc and I feel well assured from my knowledge of you that you will realize all you have anticipated.

My principal reason for addressing you at this time—is, to take the liberty of introducing to your acquaintance my acquaintance and friend Colo Benjamin F. Foster, who will hand you this. Col° Foster is a young gentleman of high character and respectability in this State both on his own account, and the numerous respectable connexions he has here. He has been selected by the Texas Association of this place to go out to Texas as their agent, for the purpose of procuring settlers on the land granted to them by the Mexican Government and make such other arrangements as will tend to the benefit of the company.

A young man and a stranger—in a foreign land—he will no doubt be much assisted by the council and advice which you my dear sir will be able to give him, in relation to his undertaking; And I can say to you with truth that you could not extend your kindness and friendship to one more deserving of them than Col° Foster. And I assure you my dear sir that it would be highly gratifying to me that you would do so.

I have often thought of paying you a visit and may yet drop unexpectedly upon you. I should much like to talk over our Mexican connexion, and all the viscissitudes we have since underwent, which I fondly hope will some time or other take place—perhaps your business may at no distant day call you into this part of the world— if so depend upon it I will not forego the opportunity of seeing you. If you have an opportunity and are not too much engaged in forming your new settlement, I would be very glad to receive a letter from you—in which I would like to find all the little matters relating to yourself particularly—whether you think of marrying—if you have any prospect there—or whether you could not make an adventure among us. as also the general condition of your settlement and your opinion as to its future advancement—Nothing connected with you and your new country would be uninteresting, to me¡ who subscribes himself,

John D. Martin.

Colo. S. F. Austin.